RESUMO
Cervical lymphadenopathy is a common condition characterized by the enlargement of lymph nodes. It can have various causes, including infections, inflammatory conditions, and neoplastic processes. Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease that progresses through multiple stages, can also be a rare cause of cervical lymphadenopathy, particularly in HIV-positive individuals. In this case report, we describe a patient presenting with throat pain, systemic symptoms, and cervical lymphadenopathy, initially clinically suggestive of lymphoma but ultimately determined to be caused by syphilis of unknown duration. This case highlights the importance of considering syphilis in the differential diagnosis of cervical lymphadenitis, particularly in patients with risk factors, such as intravenous drug use and HIV infection, and the need for a thorough evaluation of the patient's social and medical histories to diagnose and treat the condition accurately.
RESUMO
Relapsing polychondritis (RP) most commonly presents as inflammation and degeneration of cartilaginous tissue in the auricles, nasal septum, and lungs (in severe instances). RP is a rare autoimmune condition associated with other autoimmune diseases in 30% of cases. The prevalence of gastrointestinal involvement with RP is tenuous; however, there is a growing collection of case studies associating auricular chondritis with concomitant inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. We report the case of a 35-year-old patient presenting with autoimmune pancreatitis, with a past medical history of Crohn's disease, primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and suspected RP. Although RP is rare, the disease's multiple clinical presentations and recurrent episodic nature can cause significant diagnostic delays and are often overlooked by physicians. Thus, low disease prevalence may be due to under-recognition and under-reporting of disease symptoms. As RP is a clinical diagnosis, increased awareness of the disease presentation and clinical characteristics may increase disease recognition and improve treatment outcomes.